What is Moorrees' method for dental age estimation?

• A. A method to calculate adult age from tooth wear.
• B. A method to estimate age from DNA in teeth.
• C. A stage-based approach assessing tooth formation in radiographs, with standardized charts used for pediatric age estimation.
• D. A technique to measure salivary enzymes for age.

Answer: (C)

Moorrees' method is a stage-based approach to dental age estimation. It examines tooth formation on radiographs and places each tooth into standardized developmental stages of calcification and root formation. Using charts that link those stages to typical ages, you can estimate a child’s chronological age from the pattern of tooth development. This relies on the timing of mineralization visible in radiographs, not on wear, DNA analysis, or salivary markers, making it well suited for pediatric age estimation. Typically several teeth are evaluated to improve accuracy, producing an age range rather than a single exact age.